Global Composites Materials in Tooling Market

Global Composites Materials in Tooling Market Size

The global composites materials in tooling market size was valued at USD 634.55 million in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 1,021.27 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.43% during the forecast period (2025–2033). Innovations in tooling manufacturing, such as automated and additive manufacturing processes, are making it easier to produce complex composite structures. These advancements increase the efficiency of producing high-quality composite materials, contributing to market growth.

Market Overview

Composites materials in tooling refer to the use of advanced composite materials—such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, epoxy-based resins, and polyurethane—in the creation of tooling components. Tooling is essential in manufacturing processes, providing molds, dies, and other devices that shape and form materials into the desired product. When composites are used for tooling, they offer significant advantages over traditional materials like metals, including improved strength-to-weight ratios, better heat resistance, and reduced wear over time. These benefits make composite materials ideal for high-performance industries like aerospace, automotive, wind energy, and marine, where precision, durability, and efficiency are crucial.

Market Drivers

Growing demand for lightweight materials

The increasing demand for lightweight materials is a key driver in the composites materials in tooling market, particularly in aerospace, automotive, and wind energy industries. Manufacturers seek materials that enhance fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve performance.

For instance,

• As per ScienceDirect, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner utilizes composite materials for approximately 50% of its structure, reducing weight and enhancing fuel efficiency.
• Similarly, in the automotive sector, electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Tesla Model S rely heavily on lightweight materials to improve battery range and overall performance.

The wind energy sector also benefits from turbine blades made from composites, which provide increased efficiency and durability. As industries aim for higher performance, cost savings, and environmental sustainability, the shift towards lightweight composite materials in tooling continues to accelerate.

Market Restraint

Complex processing and design limitations

Despite their advantages, composite materials in tooling face challenges related to complex processing and design limitations. The intricate nature of composites requires precise control over fiber orientation, resin infusion, and curing conditions, making manufacturing more time-consuming and costly. Achieving high dimensional accuracy in large or detailed components can be difficult, leading to defects or inconsistencies.

For instance, the aerospace industry struggles with producing defect-free composite wing structures due to resin shrinkage and fiber misalignment. Moreover, integrating composites into traditional manufacturing workflows requires specialized expertise and equipment, limiting their widespread adoption in cost-sensitive industries like automotive and construction.

Market Opportunities

Automation and digitalization in tooling processes

The adoption of automation and digitalization in tooling processes is transforming the composite materials market by improving efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness. Advanced manufacturing technologies like AI-driven design, IoT-enabled monitoring, and automated fiber placement (AFP) are streamlining production.

• For instance, in 2023, Airbus introduced AutoRamp, an AI-powered composite manufacturing system that optimizes material placement and reduces waste in aircraft component production. Similarly, Stratasys launched its F3300 3D printer in 2024, enhancing the automation of composite tooling with real-time process monitoring and predictive maintenance.

These advancements enable manufacturers to accelerate production cycles, minimize errors, and enhance scalability, driving the widespread adoption of composites in industries like aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy.

Market Scope

Segmental Analysis 

The global composites materials in tooling market is bifurcated into material type, tooling type, and end-user industry.

By Material Type

Carbon fiber dominates the global composites materials in tooling market due to its lightweight, high strength, and rigidity. Its excellent mechanical properties make it ideal for aerospace and automotive applications where weight reduction is critical. Carbon fiber's ability to withstand high temperatures and its corrosion resistance further enhance its demand in industries like aerospace and wind energy. The demand for carbon fiber continues to grow as manufacturers look for materials that improve fuel efficiency and performance, particularly in lightweight structural components for aircraft and high-performance vehicles.

By Tooling Type

Production tooling is the dominant segment in the composites materials in tooling market, as it is crucial for large-scale manufacturing processes. This type of tooling is used in the mass production of complex components, particularly in industries like aerospace and automotive, where high-volume production is necessary. Production tooling ensures consistent and precise parts, helping to meet the growing demand for advanced composites in these sectors. The development of innovative production methods, such as additive manufacturing and automated processes, is also driving growth in this segment, further solidifying its dominance.

By End-User Industry

The aerospace and defense industry is the dominant end-user in the composites materials in tooling market. The sector’s focus on reducing the weight of aircraft for fuel efficiency, along with the need for high-performance materials, makes composites a preferred choice. Carbon fiber and epoxy-based composites are particularly sought after in this industry due to their superior strength-to-weight ratios. The increasing demand for both commercial and military aircraft, as well as advancements in defense technologies, drives the need for innovative tooling solutions, making aerospace & defense the leading sector in this market.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global composites materials in tooling market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

North America leads the global composites materials in tooling market, driven by strong demand from aerospace, automotive, and wind energy industries. The region's dominance is attributed to advanced manufacturing infrastructure, a high focus on lightweight materials, and significant investments in composite tooling technologies.

The U.S. aerospace sector, led by companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, extensively uses composite materials for aircraft components, ensuring high durability and weight reduction. For example, Boeing's new-generation 777X incorporates composite tooling to manufacture its carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) wings, enhancing fuel efficiency.

Moreover, the automotive industry in North America is accelerating the adoption of composites in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. General Motors (GM) announced in 2023 the use of advanced composite tooling in battery enclosures for its Ultium platform, improving thermal resistance and reducing weight.

Meanwhile, the wind energy sector benefits from GE Renewable Energy’s composite tooling solutions for larger wind turbine blades, such as the Haliade-X 14 MW, boosting efficiency in offshore wind projects. With continuous R&D efforts, government incentives for sustainable manufacturing, and a growing emphasis on automation in composite tooling, North America remains at the forefront of this evolving market share.

Competitive Landscape

The key global composites materials in tooling market players are;

1. Hexcel Corporation
2. Solvay S.A.
3. Toray Industries, Inc.
4. SGL Carbon SE
5. Airtech Advanced Materials Group
6. Gurit Holding AG
7. Teijin Limited
8. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
9. Park Aerospace Corp.
10. Axiom Materials, Inc.

Recent Developments

• November 2024 – Jamco America, a leading aircraft interiors integrator, announced a partnership with Airtech Advanced Materials Group to revolutionize aerospace manufacturing through 3D printing (3DP) tool recycling. This collaboration aims to accelerate production, reduce costs and risks, and minimize the carbon footprint in aerospace manufacturing.